The Sunday herald., 1887-01-09

niBht VI my iIe snail pray Tor hin that his
future may he glorious and glad. And
Ionic, listen: send him this rose with my
lovc--the loveof a sister--and tell him am
sorry hurt his feelings the last day but
one that he was here. Say that there Ia no
woman whose heart is free but would be
proud to own his love. lie must remember
that and forget me-"
Ionic performed the commission faithfully
and as tenderly as a kind hearted woman
could. Hugh kissed the faded rose when IL
reached him: then hid IL away carefully, and
manfully tried to bury his sorrow also, and
even TO lay the ghost of It.
One evening, In the early part of last
year, 1885, an elderly lady-one of the
prettiest old ladies imaginable-was seated
al dance In q country house. Her expires
| sion was little anxious, as she watched
her favorite grand daughter, the beauty oil
the evening, being led out for the third
time by the same young man.
"a most decided firtation," said another
old lady, very comfortable and kind look.
| ing, who had crossed the room at the same
moment, and now sat down next TO Mrs
Conway. "a most decided Irritation
Don't you think, Carrie, that you ought ia
interfere with II In the interests Of your
protege, young Wodeleighf"
"My dear Louie, has any good ever come
OF active interference in such matters yet
can but watch and be wary and carry the
child of before any great harm is done.
Who as tie young man, by the wayY"
us 1t possible you do not know He Il
that young Dormer who distinguished him.
self the other day in Egypt, and is the
grandson of your old adorer.''
Mrs. Conway made a gesture of surprise
"Sir Hugh himself Is 10 be here tonight
| was told" continued Mrs. Bulstrode-fol
the intimate friendship brtween the "Louie'
and "Carrie" of bygons days had ended in
/ their becoming sisters in-law. "Have you
ever seen him, blythe bye, since that time
what ages off Il sesms--when you nearly
broke his heartY'
"Never," said Mrs. Conway, carelessly
and briefly.
She was an admirable woman, universally
respected and looked up to, but she had
done with sentiment long ago. Some p.o.
pie were daring enough to call her little
worldly. Perhaps the reproach was not al.
together undes-rved. At any rate, her life
was too busy and to, full to allow her lei.
sure for tender "reminiscences. Love, ro.
mance-the iTridescent dreams of youth
seemed to her very unimportant things now
compared with social ease and good posi-.
ton and honorable Influence. She was a
Lady Bouutiful in her parish, and bu sled
herself with useful schemes of many sorts.
Her life was upright and blameless. She
had known some heavy sorrow: had awak-
ened from some illusions: had parted hall
unconsciously with many hopes. But mos,
Of these things had gone from her so grad.
ually that she had not missed them, per.
haps, as much as they deserved.
Her mind was so vigorous that, unlike
many elderly people, she lived far more in
the present than in the past. Indeed, she
rather despis.d regrets as a mere waste OF
time, and had never been conscious of rue
ing one single thing which she had done.
Grace, her youngest, her fairest, her only
unmarried graud daughter, was now the
chief object of her affection and care. She
earnestly desired a marriage between her pet
and Arthur Wodeleigh, who was the best
parti Of the neigh borhood. Grace unfortu
nately had not hitherto seemed to fancy him
much, for, although negatively good enough,
he had nothing special to recommend him
beyond his enormous wealth. But she was
gentle, loving young girl, devotedly fond
OF her grandmother, and Mrs. Conway
trusted her own influence to make all right
in the end.
Arthur Wodeleish hal proposed: had
been rejected by Grace, bnt encouraged by
Mrs Conway, and had gone back to college
for his final term, determined to try his for
tune again when next at home.
1t really would be provoking If Grace
hitherto entirely heart free-were to fall in
love in the meanwhile, and she had looked
dangerously happy this evening whenever
she had found herself in handsome frank
Dormer's company. She had met him at a
country house where she had been staying
lat al aud uh o1i 1ic6 n. ,r
had prevented Mrs. Conway from accom- pany-
ing her. They had only been together three
days; could that have been enough TO work
irremediable mischief
Ars. Conway's musings were anxious
the more so that she could not deny the
young mans attractions. He was danger
ously good-looking and had charming man.
ners, not to speak of his reputation as hero.
1t was all very annoying, for Mrs. Conway
had been tao long accustomed to settle things
for every one to be able to feel perfect eaua-
nimity on seaing one of her favorite plans
threatened with extinction.
The dance was an unoeremonious affair,
and somebody suggested an impromptu
cotillon. The idea was seized with avidity,
and an agreeable "society man" was oonsti.
tuted leader, and proceeded to distinguish
himself by improvising figures. As no toys
had been provided, he was able to display
some ingenuity, and presently ordered that
one OF the figures. should consist In each
lady proving her preference for one of two
partners by presenting the favored dancer
with some flower that's was wearing.
At this very Iloment the proceedings were
temporarily interrupted and sQms excite
ment created by the entrance of two gintle-
men. Ona was tall, soldierly looking,
handsome old man, whom Mrs. Bnlstrode
instantly discovered 10 be Sir Hugh Dormer.
The Other was Arthur Wodelsigh. who, ar
riving home unexpectedly and hearing of
the dance, had prodted by his intimacy with
the lady Of the hoYss to present himself un.
invited. He was received With open arms,
and several young ladies frightened visibly
on seeing him. But among this number was
not Grace, and Arthur, on his side, did not
look bsst pleased on psrceiving The devotion
toward her of Capt. Dormsr.
Mrs. Bulstrode whispered laughingly:
HTheFs viii be complications ~ and Mrs.
Conway seemed divided between anxiety
aud pleasure,
The cotillOn was resumed, and the lead.y,
perceiving that Arthur fingered near Grace,
and not being In the secret Of the little
drama, selected him and Capt. Dormer to be
her rival partners. She was placed ON
oHaii ~ VI TDOtu, tub Nv o
young men were brought up TO her, and she
was instructed to present one of them with
the rose In her waistband. There was
little pause. smile ran round the room.
Grace blushed and hesitated, while both
men iprned pale. Arthur, indeed, was ex-
tremely anxions. He had come back for the
final answer to his proposal and instinc-
lively he fslt that Grace's decision at this
moment would decide Lis fats.
Grace, looking very sweet aud winnipg ia
her shy doubtfulness, had half turned to-
ward Capt. Dormsr. when she accident
ally caught her grandmother's glance aud
again drew back. Mrs. Conway had looked
at her almost supplica'iugly, aud the Young
girl. tender hearted always, shrauk from in
gicting on her so public blow.
6n ta9 ather hand, It pained her not to
give Frank BORNE; tbs Erapf II her regard.
Her eyes fell on Franks father, VINO Sss
standing close by Mrs. Conway, and watch.
ing Grace with strange, puzzled express
sion. Quick as thought the girl took her
resolution.
''Nay!" Nhe exclaimed, with her fresh,
sweet laugh, 81 shall give 1t to neither of
you," and, gliding across the room. she
paused iu front Of Sir Hugh. "Will you
have II :" she said brightly.
10 looked at her with an air which she